Jo-Ann Mae (Drees) Lynch

Jo-Ann Mae (Drees) Lynch passed away early on Wednesday, October 7th, 2026. She was 78. Per her wishes there will be no visitation or service. Jo-Ann thought funerals were too sad.

Jo-Ann was born in Rochester, MN to Joseph Drees and Lena (Nelson) Drees. She graduated from Rochester high school and Rochester community college. Jo-Ann then graduated from the University of Minnesota and obtained her veterinary degree there.

In 1972 Jo-Ann moved to Mankato and worked for Cullen Veterinary Clinic. Eventually she purchased the practice from Dr. Clough Cullen and she and Judi Kelley founded the River City Cat Clinic.

In 1988 Jo-Ann married Jim, who she met as a client. Jim was the luckiest guy ever, and he knows it.

In 1998 Jo-Ann and Jim adopted a daughter, Bayo, into their family. Jo-Ann decided to retire from veterinary work and take full-time care of Bayo for a time. She later went on to work for Mayo Clinic.

Jo-Ann had many interests. She loved her daughter and her grandchildren, Prince and Angel. She enjoyed her pets, the most recent being Sterling and Stefan. There was always a special place in her heart for her little cat Gopher Eugene, who had come to her in the clinic days, maimed by a careless trapper. Jo-Ann enjoyed puzzles of all sorts and rarely missed watching Wheel of Fortune. Jo-Ann had varied musical interests, her favorite rock band being Queen, featuring Freddy Mercury. She also enjoyed John Prine, Leonard Cohen and many other groups. Jo-Ann was an accomplished pianist despite her protests to the contrary. She liked bird watching and touring the family’s planted prairie.

Jo-Ann is survived by her husband, Jim, her daughter, Bayo (Ravi) Lynch-Pandey, her grandchildren, Prince and Angel, her dog, Sterling, her cat, Stefan, many nephews, nieces and in-laws. She is also survived by her special friends, Linda Rager, Charlotte Gallagher, Deb Carstens, Judi and Dave Kelley, Diane Kelly and Sandy Rosemark. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorials are preferred to the pet shelter of your choice.

Thank you to Benedictine Living for their kind care.